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0:02 Often what we ask for is money, what we ask for is a promotion, what we ask for is more, what we ask for is higher turnover, what we ask for is physical things. Whereas a mature child is not just given the material, not just given the physical, but the Father wants to impart His wisdom so that even in times of crisis, material can run out. But God's wisdom enables you and me to create what does not exist into existence. Let's open the word of God together with me from the book of Isaiah 66. I will start from verse 8 as a foundation before I talk about the importance of becoming mature children of God. Because I believe only mature

0:48 children can reign together with the Lord Jesus. I will not get tired of repeating that what the Lord Jesus won on the cross was not just a location, but what He won was a position. So, every believer should not target just entering heaven, but to reign together with Jesus forever. Because you can enter heaven but not reign. But whoever reigns with Jesus, you are definitely in heaven. That is why I always say that when Jesus was lifted up to heaven , He did not take His disciples to go up with Him. Instead, He left His disciples and said, "It is better for me to go so that you can receive the Father's promise." Because what God desires is not just people who admire

1:35 the figure of Jesus, but you and I have a greater privilege. Our privilege is not just admiring the figure of Jesus, but you and I who want, by His Holy Spirit, to be transformed into being like Jesus. So that what Jesus did, you and I will do. So that when Jesus is glorified, you and I are glorified together with the Lord Jesus. Now, Brothers and Sisters, I want to provide a foundation that I believe in the midst of an increasingly uncertain world situation, God is looking for mature children of God. And maturity is not because of age. Maturity is not because of experience, but maturity is because of intimacy. Isaiah 66 verse 8 says, please open it. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things?

2:22 I believe in the midst of a situation that is getting more and more uncertain every day, God will do things the world has never seen before. You and I who are called by God to be light, light loses its meaning and purpose if there is no darkness. Jesus said that the state of the world will not get better. Instead, the world will get darker and deeper. But the good news is, the darker the world, the brighter the church shines. And I believe in these end times, welcoming the second coming of Christ. In the midst of the darkest, most intense age, the church of God will rise with the fullness of God's glory. So I pray, you are ready to be used by God. Amen. We say, can a country be born in one day or a nation be brought forth in a single moment?

3:09 Yet, as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. Who will God use to be a blessing in the midst of difficult times? Who will God use in the midst of uncertain times to do what is impossible without heaven's intervention? Today I want to talk about the children of Zion. Those whom God will use are the children of Zion. Say it with me, Zion. You and I must become children of Zion. But if the children of Zion are to birth miraculous things, great things, you must be ready to endure labor pains. Because there is no movement of God’s visitation without a process of refining and purification. But those who are Zion, you do not fear going

3:55 through a time of pain. Because as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. I believe the Holy Spirit empowers believers to birth arrows. You and I, humans, received a mandate in Genesis 1 verse 28. God blessed Adam and Eve and said, "Be fruitful and multiply." You and I are different; we are not rabbits. That is actually the essence of discipleship. Discipleship is birthing and making people who are like Jesus. And every person who is born again must undergo a process called maturation. And only Zion can

4:42 birth the children of Zion. So I pray through your family, through your ministry, through your work. I want you to grasp that through your life, God wants to birth arrows through your life . Amen. Now, what are these mature children like? Zechariah 9 verse 13. I will give two foundational verses first before I focus my message in this fourth service on Luke 15 so that you can get a more complete picture of what a mature child is like. Okay. Because this year is the year of the Great Commission. The Great Commission is in two passages. Mark 16 and Matthew 28. Mark 16 talks about evangelism, to

5:29 preach. But in Matthew 28, there is no word "preach." There is "make" and " teach." For you to be able to birth, you need power. The Holy Spirit convicts us of what sin is. The Holy Spirit convicts us of what righteousness is. The Holy Spirit convicts us of what judgment is. The Holy Spirit is not energy. The Holy Spirit is not just power. He is a person. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, we cannot be born again. Those who understand, say amen. But if you want to make disciples, you want to make, you want to teach, you and I don't just need what is called power, you need what is called authority. Power is given, authority is entrusted.

6:14 So for a born-again person, the gifts of the Holy Spirit can operate. But why do people with the gifts of the Holy Spirit still end up slipping, falling, and unable to get up again? Because gifts do not guarantee you will reach the finish line. But those who become mature, say it together, become mature. Why can someone become mature? Because they have their father's character, they have their father's behavior, they have their father's heart. And no one becomes mature if they have never known their father. Because maturity is not age. Maturity, adulthood, is when the Father can trust His child. Jesus was born as a child, but when He began His ministry, why was it that when He was baptized in the Jordan River, the

7:00 heavens opened and a voice said, "This is my son, a mature son." And what happened when Jesus was baptized? A voice from heaven, the Holy Spirit descended. Power and authority. So the Father said, "My son." The Greek term. A child who has the father's nature, the father's feelings. Everything the father has is delegated to his child. When Jesus ministered, there was already healing power, miracle power, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit

7:47 operating. Why does Philippians 2 say, "He did not count equality with God as a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself. He was willing to obey His Father, even obedient unto death. Death on the cross. Therefore, He was given the name above all names. So Jesus didn't just have power, He had the authority of being trusted. You can operate with power, but not have authority. Why are there Christians diligent in ministry, but the devil still has access to your life? Because you don't have authority, and only

8:33 mature children have authority. And if the world says," I'm 18, I have freedom , I can do it myself, I've gone to college, I have a job, I can earn money , I'm an adult. "In the kingdom of God, maturity is not independence. Rather, the more mature you are, the more you depend on the Father. Jesus said," If you are not planted, rooted in Me, apart from Me you can do nothing. " Before I read Zechariah 9:13, look at Galatians 4, the second verse, regarding maturity according to the standard of the Word. It is very different from the world. Galatians 4, the second verse. So spiritual maturity

9:22 is not because I have 10 years of ministry experience, I have a seminary degree, a master's, I've been a department head—that is not the measure. But who is it? It's a child, a teknon, not yet a huios, not yet grown, still small. He is still under guardianship and supervision until the time appointed; becoming a mature child is not because of skills. A mature child is one blessed by his father. Jesus was 30 years old when He began His ministry work, and that is where

10:08 the Father said," My son. "He had both. The Holy Spirit descended. Authority and power. And the Lord asks each of us to become spiritually mature. Because for you and me to manifest the kingdom of God in the midst of this dark age, authority and power are needed. Now, prophetically, look at Zechariah 9:13. Because I bend. Say it together, bend. When a bow is bent, is it pushed or pulled? No. One becomes mature only through painful processes. There are times your faith is stretched, times

10:56 your patience is stretched, times your comfort is pulled. But when a child matures, they are pulled not to retreat , but to advance. The church that walks in authority and power is one willing to be perfected. He is not looking for perfect people. A church willing to be molded, taught, and to understand its Father's heart. For I have bent Judah for myself, and filled my bow with... Do you know Ephraim? What does his name mean? Doubly fruitful. In difficult

11:41 times, God will raise up those who are doubly fruitful. Do you want to know whose son Ephraim was? Joseph. Cast out slandered mocked imprisoned hated. From someone who matured, double fruitfulness was born. Ephraim. Without Joseph, there is no Ephraim. And God is looking for mature people. Because God wants you and me to do more than just bear fruit. John 15 says," He wants us to bear fruit. "Bear much fruit, even bear very much fruit, so that your Father in heaven is glorified. Now, interestingly it is said," For I will

12:28 stir up your children, O... "Say Zion." ... against your children, O... "Greece. What is the difference? Note these 3 points. Zion: God-centered. Greece: self-centered. Zion: faith-centered. Greece: logic-centered. Zion: believe before seeing. Greece: see first, then believe. And in these end times, the children of Zion and the children of

13:13 Greece will both reach maturity. Wheat and tares will grow together. Today's generation says," Don't be too fanatical. "Those who hate God will hate Him more. But those who love Jesus will love Him even more. But God is looking for Zion. Say it with me, Zion. Only Zion is able to give birth. That's why for Hebrews, worship and work are one word: avodah. Worship is not singing. Worship is not playing music.

13:58 Music, singing, and dancing are just expressions of worship. Worship is not just expression. Worship speaks of essence. For the Greeks, but for the Hebrews—the Jews—working, having children, farming, herding, all that was because of Yahweh. Their entire lives were worship. That's why worship cannot be separated; at home, at church , at the office, it's the same. And if we are children of Zion, in your work, Jesus is present. In your work, the sick can be healed. In your work, you can set a value different from this world. Children of Zion who become

14:44 mature. You don't just feel God's presence when we are praising and worshiping in church. Even when you are alone in your room, heaven is present with you. And wherever God places you, you and I become an open heaven, declaring the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Those who understand, say amen. Say it together. I must be a child of Zion. Must be a mature child, who has authority and possesses power. Because only the children of Zion can fulfill the Great Commission. Not just evangelizing, not just bringing people to church, but leading them to transformation, teaching them. And finally, God's

15:31 children fulfilling the Great Commission wherever we are. We make an impact in our community, we make an impact in our workplace. In all walks of life, God will raise up mature children in this end time. And mature children will dismantle the works of the devil, and light will always overcome darkness. Don't believe it? Say amen. Now Luke 15 verse 11. Follow along with me. Before I finish, I want to give you a picture. What is a mature child like? If you look at the parable of the lost son, actually there are two lost sons. And the focal point is not the sons; the focus must be the father. Okay. What’s interesting when I study

16:18 this verse, Jesus said," A man had two sons. "Say it with me, son in the Greek language, hios. It should be a mature son. And what God longs for is mature sons, not just the youngest, but the eldest too. So what can we learn from this verse? Take note, the youngest son is one who cannot manage power. The eldest son is one who cannot manage authority. The youngest has something the eldest doesn't have. Oh, the youngest knows his power, he knows his rights. The youngest knows how to ask, the eldest doesn't know how to ask.

17:06 Many Christians don't know their rights , you know. The eldest son is a Christian who doesn't know how to operate in authority. What happens in the end? We may be in ministry. We are in church, we give our best, we are in the Father's house, but our lives remain frustrated. And when something happens that doesn't meet expectations, we might say," God, have you forgotten me? "How many people pray every day, have devotions, never miss, serve hard, attend prayer meetings and services, yet still don't know their authority in God? A hallmark of a Christian who doesn't know authority is being envious

17:52 when others are promoted. How could they? Why wasn't it me? Complaining when others get promoted. That is a person who doesn't know their authority and wants pity all the time. Coming to church just to be prayed for constantly . If they feel the pastor doesn't care enough, the church is bad. Why? Because they don't know their authority in the house. They aren't lost, yet they aren't truly there. The youngest son can't manage power. He knows what he possesses. He knows what his father

18:37 gave him. But without maturity, power can still destroy your life. Is God against giving you wealth? No. All good things come from the Father. But if a person never matures, even if given millions, their life can fall apart. People have families but don't mature, so their family life is destroyed. People are given ministry, business, and power, but because they never mature and don't understand authority, their ministry and business will still end in ruin. There are two sons who should have been mature. Look at the

19:23 next verse. I want you to grasp the picture where the children of Zion must be able to manage power and manage authority. And authority and power can only be managed when you become one with the Father. The key is the Father. Look at this. The youngest said, the youngest knew his rights, he never stole. Try looking at the verse. Did he ask for his brother's rights? No. He asked for his own rights. Many Christians are diligent in worship but don't understand their rights. If you

20:09 pray begging, how is the language of someone who doesn't know their rights? If God permits, perhaps. The youngest. Father, give me the portion of our property that is rightfully mine. Then the father divided his wealth among them. Do you know that in one verse there are two words for wealth, but they have different meanings? When I studied the Greek, what the son asked for was physical assets, land, and material things. But the second word for wealth, which the father distributed, was not just assets or material, but how he created that

20:55 wealth. Often what we ask for is money, promotion, more of this, increased turnover; we ask for the physical. Even though a mature child is not just given the material or physical, the Father wants to impart His wisdom so that even in times of crisis, material can run out. But God's wisdom enables you and me to create something out of nothing. The Father wants to give" bios. "He wants to share life, experience, ups and downs, methods, and techniques. The

21:43 son didn't want to know; he wanted money, gold, land certificates. You and I can move with power. But if we don't understand that the source of power comes from God, then what is placed in your hands can be exhausted and disappear. What is the characteristic of someone who cannot manage power? Impatience. The next verse, what did he do? Not long after that, he sold it— an inheritance should not be sold. In the second service earlier, I spoke about Naboth. Mature Christians learn to say no. Compromise. Getting a better

22:30 answer, a higher position, more wealth. No. It is harder to say no than to say yes. A mature child learns to say no. The youngest son could not manage wealth or manage power. What did he do? He sold it. He went to a far country. There he wasted his possessions living dissolutely. If someone has power without maturity, the power continues, but the sin continues as well. And what happens if you don't become mature? What happens if you don't know your authority? The next verse. Gone. And

23:23 when hard times come, finally the church isn't lending. We end up begging instead. People of the world are depressed because the rupiah dropped, the church gets depressed too. People are worried about the future because stocks are falling, there's a war in the Strait of Hormuz. The church goes soft too. Brothers and sisters, a child is not a servant. And the economy of the Kingdom of Heaven is never impacted by the economy of the Republic of Indonesia. Where does that formula come from? But if you understand your authority and you and I live as children who understand the Father's heart, in the midst of hard times we can get through the same hard times.

24:08 But the Bible says we are not swallowed by hard times. We are people who are more than conquerors. Those who believe , say amen. What happens? Famine in the country. He began to be in want. The next verse the Bible says," Then he went and worked for an employer in that land. And that person sent him to the fields to tend his pigs. "If people don't understand their authority, if people don't understand their position in God, then you and I become slaves to this world. We are slaves to money, slaves to work, slaves to stocks, slaves to salary. A child of God's source is not a salary. A child of God's source is Jehovah Jireh who

24:54 provides. Wrong position, wrong source. Later you will see when this nation experiences drought, did this child's father's house have a drought? When the earth is dry, there is still provision in heaven. That is why believers must become mature, understand the Father's heart so that your identity and mine are not determined by circumstances. Your identity is determined by who you are in God and who God is that lives within you. Look for work, feed the pigs. The next verse, he couldn't even

25:40 eat the pig's food. The person doesn't understand his authority. People who are never mature. You will eat the wrong food. You will justify any means. You will try to find every source. Humans eat human food. Humans don't eat pig food. If you and I become mature and understand being one with the Father, your provision, your needs, you are not the one seeking them. Your Father in heaven provides them for you. Those who believe, say amen. But look when someone repents, look when someone reaches maturity, sometimes people become mature through struggle. Today God is not looking for perfect people, but what God is looking for are people

26:26 willing to be perfected to become like Him, the only one who is perfect. If you want to mature, decide in these days that you want to be children of Zion. You want to rise again. You want to move forward when you're being stretched, instead of complaining, running away, keep moving. Stay faithful, rely on God, don't stop. The next verse, the younger son came to his senses. Step one of repentance is awareness. Say it together with me, awareness. Hey, in my Father's house. there is plenty of food. But here I am starving. First, the hallmark of a

27:14 repentant person is that you no longer rely on your own strength. You start learning to rely on God. But it's not just awareness, a repentant person has a different intent. The next verse, he said," I will arise and go to my Father . "A person who repents decides to rise up, not die in regret. Repentance is not just regret. If a person only regrets and asks for forgiveness but still lives in regret, you haven't repented yet. Because part of repentance is knowing you are forgiven and walking not in regret, but walking with gratitude because you have been forgiven. And what did the younger son

28:05 say, Dad? I will talk to my Father. Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. People who repent make a commitment to God, not to people. A repentant person first realizes that more than human acceptance, what he seeks is the acceptance and forgiveness of the Father. And verse 19, if you look back at Luke 15 starting from verse 11, what did the younger son say? give to me. If you are a repentant person, what you ask for is different. If before he asked for" give me, "now a

28:50 repentant person wants to become mature . Not just asking for what is my right, but a repentant person says," Make me. "Before, all I knew when praying was," Give me, give me my blessing, give me my breakthrough, give me my healing, give me your promise. "A repentant person doesn't just say" give me, "a repentant person says," Make me. "I don't just want what God can give. I want God to make me. that great mandate . Make me like one of your hired

29:36 servants, Father. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. I'm not asking for my rights anymore. I'm not asking for my blessings anymore. I'm asking you to make me according to your will, Father. What did he do? The next verse. He arose. He went to his father. When he was still far off, his father saw him. Then he felt compassion. The father ran to meet him, hugged him, and kissed him. If you want to be a mature child, God isn't asking for perfection, brothers and sisters. But what God is always looking for is humility, brothers and sisters. And there he hugged him, he kissed him. Look at the next verse. The son kept rambling on.

30:23 Often that's us, isn't it? Forgive me, Lord, I promise. I won't do it again. I promise. The son said immediately," Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. "Look at verse 22. But the father said to whom? So, was the son's speech answered? What God looks for isn't just words. What God looks for is your resolve to rise again . God doesn't just look for regret, He looks for a resurrection. Brothers and sisters, if you want to rise, say amen. If you want to rise, say amen. But the father said to his servants," Quickly bring out the best robe. Put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. "I believe if

31:09 there are children of God today who want to mature, who want to move in authority and power, then the robe, ring, and sandals speak of whose work? The Holy Spirit. Everyone who wants to mature, God will give them number one: identity, number two: authority, and number three: destiny. God wants to give you identity. God wants to give you authority. And number three, God wants to give you destiny. Those who understand, say amen. Those who understand, say amen. So, what did the son do after returning to the Father's house? Just stand there and mope? No.

31:55 The son now works together with his father. Now the younger son who was lost has become the father's partner. And in the Father's house, in the Father's will, in the Father's heart, that is where your calling and mine lie . And what God entrusts to your life, God will ensure is made successful. Those who want to, say amen, friends. The next verse, what did the father say ? Bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. Verse 24. Why did he say that? For this son

32:40 of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found. So they began. To do what, brothers and sisters? The words" alive again "mean what was once dead now lives, what was once impossible becomes possible. But it doesn't end there, friends. What truly makes me rejoice is the work of God in the lives of believers. I ask now, before I finish, let's look at verse 32 . So you saw, the father said," Kill the fatted calf because my son who was dead is now alive. "When he spoke to

33:25 the elder son, the father said this," It was right to celebrate and be glad, because your brother was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found. "This time, when I studied the word" alive again, "there was something a bit different. It is not just a dead child coming back to life, but this word" life "contains elements of living victoriously, living abundantly, and living whole in God. When God does a work of restoration in your life, He doesn't just bring you from death to life, but He ensures the new life you walk with God is a life full of victory

34:14 . Those who want to, say amen. As long as you live, may your life declare the glory of God. Doesn't John 3:16 say," For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have life "—say it with me—life. The word for life in Greek is Zoe. What does that mean? Life to the maximum. I pray that each of you and I will live maximally for God. Living means understanding how to walk in authority and power. But you cannot be a person who walks in authority and power if you

34:59 never become mature. How do you become mature? Return to the Father's heart. Know the Father's heart. Because the safest place for you and me is in God's perfect will. The more mature a believer is, the more you depend on the Father. The more you mature in God, the more you trust in the Father's decisions. The more one matures in God, the more that person relies on the Father. The more one matures, the more that person realizes they cannot live without the Father. In your position of being one with the Father, that is

35:46 where you will know how to operate in authority and power. And through your life, the name of your Father in heaven will be glorified. Those who want to, say amen, brothers and sisters. How many of you know that your life is not just an opportunity, but your life is a trust. Raise your hands. Allow God to use your life through everything that has been entrusted into your hands. Give your best. Understand that authority is in your life. That is why whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth is loosed in heaven. Those who understand, say amen. And do not waste the power of your wealth, your skills, your talents, your influence, your connections;

36:31 whatever God has entrusted into your life, work on it to the maximum. Use it for the honor and glory of God's name. But be fully aware, your identity is not because of power. Your identity is because you are a child of the Father. Those who understand, say amen. There is no need to be jealous of others. No need to feel your rights are taken away . No need to feel that no one cares. As long as you and I are always together with the Father, as long as you are close to the Father, then you have authority. People may think you are small. People may steal from you, people may try to sabotage you. But with the Father, you will fulfill the

37:17 plans and designs He has for your life. And the Bible gives certainty that the plans the Father has for you and me are not plans for disaster, but each of us has a future full of hope. Those who want to say amen, brothers and sisters, those who want to be Zion, wave your hands. Dark times will come, but in the midst of darkness, in the midst of pain , you will give birth. His kingdom will come. His will shall be done in and through your lives on earth as it is in heaven. And I pray, may your quiver be full of Ephraim, may everything you do be made fruitful by God. Not just fruitful, but bearing much fruit, even

38:04 bearing very much fruit. Let us all stand in the presence of the Lord.